U.S. patent number 8,006,919 [Application Number 12/210,085] was granted by the patent office on 2011-08-30 for sprinkler with dual shafts.
This patent grant is currently assigned to The Toro Company. Invention is credited to Peter Janku, Saroj Manandhar, Richard C. McClure, Steven C. Renquist.
United States Patent |
8,006,919 |
Renquist , et al. |
August 30, 2011 |
Sprinkler with dual shafts
Abstract
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention a sprinkler
is provided, having a first shaft coupled to a drive mechanism and
a grooved deflector. A second shaft is disposed within the first
shaft, coupled to a water flow adjustment mechanism and an
adjustment region on the top of the deflector. The first shaft
transfers rotational movement from the drive mechanism to a grooved
deflector on the top of the sprinkler. The second shaft rotates
with the first shaft during normal operation due to a friction
clutch within the sprinkler. When the user desires to adjust the
water flow (i.e., the radius of the water), the friction of the
clutch can be overcome by rotating the second shaft, increasing
openings of flow passages within the sprinkler body. In this
respect, flow adjustments can be made from the top of the sprinkler
while the deflector rotates.
Inventors: |
Renquist; Steven C. (Chino
Hills, CA), Janku; Peter (Temecula, CA), McClure; Richard
C. (Placentia, CA), Manandhar; Saroj (Chino Hills,
CA) |
Assignee: |
The Toro Company (Bloomington,
MN)
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Family
ID: |
40452551 |
Appl.
No.: |
12/210,085 |
Filed: |
September 12, 2008 |
Prior Publication Data
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Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
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US 20090072048 A1 |
Mar 19, 2009 |
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Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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61012202 |
Dec 7, 2007 |
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60972612 |
Sep 14, 2007 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
239/240; 239/206;
239/457; 239/523; 239/237; 239/222.17 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B05B
3/007 (20130101); B05B 3/0422 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B05B
3/04 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;239/205,206,237,240,222.17,498,518,521,523,451,457 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Ganey; Steven J
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Inskeep IP Group, Inc.
Parent Case Text
RELATED APPLICATIONS
The present invention claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent
Application Ser. No. 61/012,202 filed Dec. 7, 2007 entitled
Sprinkler with Dual Shafts, and U.S. Provisional Application Ser.
No. 60/972,612 filed Sep. 14, 2007 entitled Mini Stream Sprinkler,
the contents of all of which are incorporated herein by reference.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A sprinkler comprising: a deflector rotatably disposed at a top
region of said sprinkler for deflecting water away from said
sprinkler; a drive mechanism driven by a flow of water in said
sprinkler; an adjustment mechanism at least partially disposed
within said sprinkler; a first shaft coupled to said drive
mechanism and said deflector so as to drive rotation of said
deflector; and a second shaft coupled to said adjustment mechanism
and an adjustment member at said top region of said sprinkler for
allowing a user to engage and rotate said adjustment mechanism;
wherein said second shaft is disposed within said first shaft.
2. The sprinkler of claim 1, wherein said adjustment mechanism
comprises a flow adjustment mechanism configured to modify a rate
of water flow through said sprinkler.
3. The sprinkler of claim 1, further comprising a first member
coupled to a lower end of said first shaft and a second member
coupled to a lower end of said second shaft.
4. The sprinkler of claim 3, wherein said first member and said
second member are driven to rotate by said drive mechanism.
5. The sprinkler of claim 4, wherein said second member is
user-rotatable relative to said first member.
6. The sprinkler of claim 5, wherein user movement of said second
member repositions spaces in said second member relative to said
first member to increase or decrease flow of water through said
first member and said second member.
7. The sprinkler of claim 6, wherein said deflector includes a
plurality of grooves.
8. The sprinkler of claim 7, further comprising an arc adjustment
mechanism comprising a movable arc member having a first helical
surface and a stationary arc member having a second helical
surface.
9. The sprinkler of claim 8, wherein said first helical surface is
disposed adjacent to said second helical surface.
10. A sprinkler comprising: a sprinkler body having a passage
extending along a length of said body; a deflector rotatably
disposed at a top end of said passage for deflecting water away
from said sprinkler; a turbine coupled to an arrangement of gears
for driving rotation of said deflector; a first elongated member
extending at least partially along said length of said body and
coupled to said arrangement of gears and said deflector; a second
elongated member extending at least partially along said length of
said body and coupled to an adjustment mechanism; said second
elongated member at least partially located within said first
elongated member; said first elongated member and said second
elongated member rotating together during a normal operation of
said sprinkler; and said second elongated member selectively
rotatable by a user relative to said first elongated member for
adjusting said adjustment mechanism.
11. The sprinkler of claim 10, wherein a first end of said second
elongated member is coupled to a first flow adjustment member
disposed near a second flow adjustment member and wherein said
second flow adjustment member is frictionally engaged with said
first flow adjustment member.
12. The sprinkler of claim 11, further comprising a drive washer
disposed around said second elongated member and engaged with said
deflector and a flexible member disposed under said drive washer so
as to allow said deflector to rotate off-axis.
13. The sprinkler of claim 11, wherein said first flow adjustment
member, said second flow adjustment member, said first elongated
member, said second elongated member and said deflector are
rotationally driven by said arrangement of gears.
14. The sprinkler of claim 13, wherein said second flow adjustment
member is movable by a user relative to said first flow adjustment
member so as to increase or decrease a passage between said first
flow adjustment member and said second flow adjustment member.
15. The sprinkler of claim 14, wherein said second flow adjustment
member is rotatable by a user from a top surface of said
sprinkler.
16. A sprinkler comprising: a sprinkler body have a passage
extending through a length of said body; a first shaft disposed
within said passage and connected to a flow adjustment mechanism; a
second shaft disposed around said first shaft and connected to a
drive mechanism; and a clutch engaged between said first shaft and
said second shaft; wherein said clutch can be selectively
disengaged to allow independent rotation of said first shaft
relative to said second shaft.
17. The sprinkler of claim 16, wherein said first shaft and said
second shaft rotate together when said clutch is engaged and
wherein said clutch is disengageable by a user to cause independent
rotation of said first shaft and said second shaft.
18. The sprinkler of claim 17, wherein said second shaft is coupled
to a turbine driven gear system and a rotatable deflector.
19. The sprinkler of claim 18, wherein said first shaft is coupled
to a tool member; said tool member shaped for engagement with a
tool.
20. The sprinkler of claim 19, further comprising a bypass valve
positioned to allow water to selectively bypass said turbine driven
gear system.
21. The sprinkler of claim 16, further comprising a drive washer
disposed around said second shaft and engaged with a deflector
plate and a flexible member disposed under said drive washer so as
to allow said deflector plate to rotate off-axis.
22. The sprinkler of claim 16, further comprising a gearbox
disposed in said sprinkler body and a turbine coupled to a top end
of said gearbox.
23. The sprinkler of claim 16, further comprising a backflow valve
member positioned to allow passage of water in a first direction
and prevent passage of water into an area around a turbine of said
sprinkler.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Rotating stream sprinklers, also known as mini stream sprinklers,
deliver a plurality of rotating streams to the surrounding terrain.
The streams are achieved by directing water against a rotatable
deflector plate having a plurality of vanes on its lower surface.
As the deflector plate rotates, these streams move within a
predetermined watering arc set by the user.
The plurality of streams that emanate from the sprinkler provide a
visually appealing water dispersal. Additionally, the plurality of
streams provides greater wind resistance and more uniform
distribution to the surrounding turf.
Due to their often small size, the watering arc and watering radius
settings of the rotating stream sprinklers can be difficult to
adjust. Further, the rotatable deflectors of most prior art
rotating stream sprinklers are driven by the force of water
striking angled surfaces on the deflector. Hence, it can be
difficult to control the speed of rotation of the deflector
plate.
Examples of mini stream sprinklers can be seen in U.S. Pat. Nos.
5,148,990; Re 33,823; 4,842,201; 4,898,332; 4,867,379; 4,967,961;
5,058,806; 5,288,022; 6,135,364; 6,244,521; 6,499,672; 6,651,905;
6,688,539; 6,736,332; 6,814,304; 6,883,727; 6,942,164; 7,032,836;
7,086,608; 7,100,842; 7,143,957; and 7,159,795; the contents of all
of these patents are hereby incorporated by reference.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention a sprinkler is
provided, having a first shaft coupled to a drive mechanism and a
grooved deflector. A second shaft is disposed within the first
shaft, coupled to a water flow adjustment mechanism and an
adjustment region on the top of the deflector. The first shaft
transfers rotational movement from the drive mechanism to a grooved
deflector on the top of the sprinkler. The second shaft rotates
with the first shaft during normal operation due to a friction
clutch within the sprinkler. When the user desires to adjust the
water flow (i.e., the radius of the water), the friction of the
clutch can be overcome by rotating the second shaft, increasing
openings of flow passages within the sprinkler body. In this
respect, flow adjustments can be made from the top of the sprinkler
while the deflector rotates.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of a sprinkler according to a
preferred embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of the sprinkler of FIG.
1;
FIG. 3 illustrates a cross sectional view of the sprinkler of FIG.
1;
FIG. 4 illustrates an enlarged cross sectional view of the
sprinkler of FIG. 1;
FIG. 5 illustrates a cross sectional view of the sprinkler of FIG.
1 with the arc adjustment assembly removed;
FIG. 6 illustrates an enlarged cross sectional view of a flow
adjustment mechanism of the sprinkler of FIG. 1;
FIG. 7 illustrates an exploded view of the flow adjustment
mechanism of FIG. 6;
FIG. 8 illustrates an exploded perspective view of the flow
adjustment mechanism of FIG. 6;
FIG. 9A illustrates a top perspective view of a flow adjustment
plate according to a preferred embodiment of the present
invention;
FIG. 9B illustrates a bottom perspective view of the flow
adjustment plate of FIG. 9A;
FIG. 10 illustrates a bottom perspective view of a rotational drive
plate according to a preferred embodiment of the present
invention;
FIG. 11 illustrates a cross sectional view of the sprinkler of FIG.
1 along lines 11-11;
FIG. 12 illustrates a cross sectional view of the sprinkler of FIG.
1 along lines 12-12;
FIG. 13 illustrates a cross sectional view of the sprinkler of FIG.
1 along lines 13-13;
FIG. 14 illustrates a perspective view of an arc adjustment
assembly according to a preferred embodiment of the present
invention;
FIG. 15 illustrates a top perspective view of a stationary arc
adjustment member according to a preferred embodiment of the
present invention;
FIG. 16 illustrates a bottom perspective view of a moving arc
adjustment member according to a preferred embodiment of the
present invention;
FIG. 17 illustrates a perspective view of a center boss according
to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 18 illustrates a cross sectional view of the sprinkler of FIG.
1 along lines 18-18;
FIG. 19 illustrates a cross sectional perspective view of the
sprinkler of FIG. 1 along lines 19-19;
FIG. 20 illustrates a magnified cross sectional view of the
sprinkler of FIG. 1;
FIG. 21 illustrates a top sectional view of a portion of the
deflector of the sprinkler of FIG. 1;
FIG. 22 illustrates a magnified cross sectional view of the
sprinkler of FIG. 1; and,
FIG. 23 illustrates a cross section view of the sprinkler of FIG.
1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a rotating stream sprinkler 100 according
to the present invention. The sprinkler 100 includes a grooved
deflector plate 104 that distributes water streams from channels
104A while rotating. The sprinkler arc is adjusted by rotating arc
adjustment member 106 and the flow (i.e., the distance or radius of
the water flow) is adjusted by rotating the flow adjustment member
112 at the top cover 102. The outer base member 108 includes a
thread 108A for screwing into an appropriate sprinkler riser to
mount the sprinkler 100. Note that while the thread 108A faces
outward from the sprinkler 100 (a male fitting), other thread
orientations are possible such as an inwardly facing thread (female
fitting).
As seen in the cross sectional views of FIGS. 3-5, the sprinkler
100 includes a drive shaft 114 that drives rotational movement of
the deflector plate 104 and a flow adjustment shaft 116 that
adjusts the flow adjustment mechanism.
The drive shaft 114 includes a passage extending through its body
and terminating at each end of the shaft 114. The passage is sized
to contain the flow adjustment shaft 116 which is positioned within
the passage. As will be described in greater detail below, this
dual shaft design allows the flow adjustment shaft 116 to rotate
with the drive shaft 114 during normal operation. However, during
adjustment of the flow (i.e., radius), the flow adjustment shaft
116 can rotate relative to the drive shaft 114 to adjust water flow
without stopping rotational movement of the deflector plate
104.
Referring to FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 (lacking the arc adjustment assembly
for clarity), a top end of the flow adjustment shaft 116 is fixed
to flow adjustment member 112. However, the top cover 102 and the
deflector plate 104 are not fixed (but may be in contact, for
example via O-ring 107) to either the shaft 116 or the adjustment
member 112. Hence, the shaft 116 or the adjustment member 112 can
rotate independently of the deflector plate 104 and the top cover
102.
As best seen in FIGS. 3, 5, 6 and FIG. 19, the sprinkler 100 is
driven by a turbine 134 and gearbox 136. Water flows around the
gearbox 136 and into openings 132B on the side surface of the
stator 132, causing the turbine 134 to rotate gear shaft 135 and
thereby drive the gears 131 within the gearbox 136. Preferably, the
openings 132B are directed at an angle tangent to the turbine 132B
so as to direct incoming water against the fins of the turbine 134.
Since the turbine 134 is located at the top of the gearbox 136,
mostly enclosed by the stator 132, the water directed to the
turbine 134 can be better controlled or limited. Therefore the
turbine speed can be better controlled than if the turbine 134 was
located at the bottom of the gearbox 136 as in many prior art
designs.
A center gear framework 137 is coupled to the gears 131 within the
gearbox 136 and is fixed from rotation to a bottom portion of the
sprinkler 100. The rotating gear shaft is fixed to a plurality of
drive gears 131B, which are each engaged with gears 131A. The gears
131A are also engaged with an inner geared surface 136A of the
gearbox 136. Therefore, when the turbine 134 rotates, the outer
case of the gearbox 136 rotates. Since the gearbox 136 is also
coupled to a stator 132, the stator 132 similarly rotates.
As best seen in FIG. 3, the speed of the turbine 134 is regulated
by a bypass valve that includes a plunger 126. The plunger 126 is
spring biased by spring 128 (disposed against spring retainer 129)
and seals against stationary member 127. As water flow moves
through the sprinkler 100, all of the water passes through openings
132B in the stator 132 (preferably at least 2 openings 132B). As
the water flow increases in pressure, it pushes the biased plunger
126 upwards, thereby bypassing the openings 132B and the turbine
134. As pressure further increases, the plunger 126 opens an
increasing amount, allowing more water to circumvent the turbine.
In this respect, the biased plunger 126 provides a variable bypass
valve that helps regulate water flow at the turbine 134 and
therefore ultimately the rotational speed of the grooved deflector
plate 104.
Turning to FIGS. 6-8 and 10, a drive plate 124 connects the stator
132 with the drive shaft 114. The underside of the drive plate 124
includes legs 124A which are positioned adjacent the top of the
stator 132 and thereby engage the geared outer diameter 132A (seen
best in FIG. 7) of the stator 132. Similarly, the underside of the
drive plate 124 engages a lower end of the drive shaft 114 (e.g.,
by interlocking structures 124C and 114A or adhesives). In this
respect, the rotational movement of the turbine 134 and gearbox 134
is translated to the deflector plate 104 via the drive plate 124
and the drive shaft 114.
As previously discussed, the flow adjustment mechanism adjusts the
flow of water through the sprinkler 100 and is best seen in FIGS.
6-13. When the flow is not being adjusted by the user, the flow
adjustment mechanism rotates with the drive shaft 114, drive plate
124 and deflector plate 104. When the user adjusts the flow, the
flow adjustment mechanism rotates relative to the drive shaft 114,
drive plate 124 and deflector plate 104.
The water flow through the sprinkler 100 is adjusted by aligning
spaces or apertures 130A formed by the throttle plate 130 with
apertures 124B in the drive plate 124. The cross sectional view of
FIGS. 12 and 13 best illustrate the alignment of these apertures
130A and 124B. Therefore, increasing alignment of the apertures
130A and 124B increases the flow out of the sprinkler 100 while
decreasing alignment of the apertures 130A and 124B decreases the
flow.
The throttle plate 130 is located below the drive plate 124 and
includes center aperture 130B that engages with the mating lower
end 116A of the flow adjustment shaft 116. In this respect,
rotating the flow adjustment shaft 116 also rotates the throttle
plate 130 relative to the drive plate 124.
The throttle plate 130 is frictionally engaged to the bottom of the
drive plate 124, rotating the throttle plate 130 with the drive
plate 124. For example, this frictional engagement could be caused
by close proximity (contact) between the entire upper surface of
the throttle plate 130 and lower surface of the drive plate 124.
Additionally, the flow of water through the sprinkler 100 may cause
slight movement and pressure of the throttle plate upwards against
the drive plate 124, further increasing friction. The frictional or
clutching force between the throttle plate 130 and the drive plate
124 is such that it can be overcome when the user adjusts the flow
adjustment member 112 and therefore the flow of the sprinkler 100.
Alternately, the frictional clutching of the throttle plate 130 can
be achieved by contact with the upper end of the stator 132.
As best seen in FIG. 12, the throttle plate 130 includes spaces or
inner apertures 130C that have a generally curved shape. These
apertures are sized to allow the legs 124A of the drive plate 124
to pass through. In this respect, the legs 124A act as stops for
the throttle plate 130, limiting rotational movement of the plate
130 to the length of the apertures 130C.
FIG. 14 illustrates the arc adjustment mechanism of the sprinkler
100 according to the present invention which increases or decreases
the arc of water thrown from the sprinkler 100. The arc is adjusted
by rotating a moving arc member 118 relative to a stationary arc
member 120 and a center boss 122.
The stationary member 120, best seen in FIG. 15, includes a
stepped, inner helical surface 120B and an outer helical surface
120A. Both surfaces 120A and 120B face towards the top of the
sprinkler 100.
The moving arc member 118, best seen in FIG. 16, similarly includes
a stepped, inner helical surface 118A and an outer helical surface
118A. Preferably, the slope or incline of these surfaces 118A and
118B are opposite the slope or incline of the surfaces 120A and
120B, however varying angles of each surface are also possible.
The center boss 122 is positioned within the center aperture of
stationary member 120 and includes a fin 122A which provides a
nonmoving end to the arced nozzle passage created between the
moving arc member 118 and the stationary arc member 120.
As seen in FIG. 18, the surfaces 120A, 120B, 118A and 118B are
positioned adjacent to each other, horizontally overlapping. When
the smallest (i.e., shortest) portion of these surfaces 120A, 120B,
118A and 118B overlap, a gap is created through which water flows.
When the largest (i.e., tallest) portion of these surfaces 120A,
120B, 118A and 118B overlap, the gap is decreased or even
eliminated. In this respect, rotating the moving arc member 118
increases or decreases the arc-shaped gap and similarly the
watering arc of the sprinkler 100. The moving arc member 118 is
preferably connected to the stationary arc member 120 by threads on
both members, allowing for rotation relative to each other.
To allow for vertical movement of the moving arc member 118 during
rotation (i.e., from rotating on the thread of the stationary arc
member 120), the moving arc member 118 is "captured" by the arc
adjustment member 106. In other words, the arc adjustment member
106 rotates the moving arc member 118 but allows for free vertical
movement of the moving arc member 118. Preferably this captured
arrangement is achieved with a capture member 106A (seen in FIG.
23) that mates with a channel 118C of the moving arc member 118
(see FIGS. 14 and 16). In this respect, the capture member 106A can
rotate the moving arc member 118 as the channel 118 slides over the
capture member 106A.
It should be noted that the horizontal placement of the surface
118A and 120A (i.e., the gap created by these surfaces) can be
modified to adjust the flow of the water emitted from the
sprinkler. For example, increasing the horizontal distance
increases the overall flow of water emitted from the sprinkler 100,
while decreasing the horizontal distance decreases the overall
flow. Therefore, the overall water flow can be increased or
decreased (in addition to the previously described, user adjustable
flow control).
Alternately, the moving arc member 118 may be replaced with a
nonmoving version that prevents a user from adjusting the watering
arc. This allows the manufacture to specify popular pre-set arcs
for users or create non-arc shaped watering patterns (e.g., a
square watering pattern). Additionally, since the non movable
member does not require a full inner helical surface 118A compared
with the moving arc member 118 (because the non moving member does
not rotate), the opening of the non moving member can be larger.
This larger opening allows for more water to deflect off the
deflector 104 and therefore be distributed around the sprinkler
100.
As best seen in FIGS. 20 and 21, the sprinkler 100 further includes
a drive washer 117 which couples the deflector plate 104 to the
drive shaft 114. The drive shaft 114 preferably includes a square,
cross sectional shape 114A (seen best in FIG. 21) that fits within
the square aperture 117B and is thereby "captured" by the square
aperture 117B. The deflector plate 104 is prevented from upward
movement by a flared portion 114B on the top end of the drive shaft
114. Additionally, the washer 117 includes fins 117A that are
positioned into mating spaces 114B of the deflector plate 104 to
prevent slipping between the washer 117 and the deflector plate
104.
Positioned below the washer 117 is O-ring 138. Additionally, O-ring
107 is located between the deflector plate 104 and the adjustment
member 112. Preferably, the O-ring 138, as well as O-ring 107, is
composed of rubber, silicone or a similar flexible, resilient
material.
Since the O-ring 138 under the drive washer 117 and O-ring 107 is
composed of a somewhat flexible material, the deflector plate 104
can wobble (i.e., can tilt slightly or rotate off-axis). In other
words, O-rings 138 and 107 allow for some "give" or compression so
that the deflector plate 104, if urged by a force, can tilt off its
rotational axis. While this "wobble" would likely not be present
during normal operation, it would allow the deflector plate 104 to
"wobble" over dirt or debris trapped between the deflector plate
104 and moving arc member 118. Thus, debris that would have
otherwise stopped or hindered the deflector plate 104 from rotation
can be passed over, providing a greater chance that a moving stream
of water will push the debris from the sprinkler 100.
As best seen in FIGS. 21 and 22, the deflector plate 104 includes
arc-shaped cavities 114C into which lower legs 112A of the arc
adjustment member 112 are positioned. The elongated, arc shape of
the cavities 114C restrict the degree of rotation of the arc
adjustment member 112, preventing damage to other components of the
sprinkler due to over-rotation.
As seen best in FIGS. 3-6, the sprinkler 100 further includes a
backflow stop pin 123 that forms a valve to prevent water flow into
the stator 132 and area surrounding the turbine 134 when the water
supply to the sprinkler 100 is stopped. The backflow stop pin 123
has a generally solid funnel shape and is positioned over the top
aperture of the stator 132. As shown in the figures, the backflow
stop pin 123 is in an open position. However, when the water to the
sprinkler 100 is stopped, the backflow stop pin 123 drops against
the stator 126, preventing water from draining into the stator 132.
In this respect, debris that may be in the water is prevented from
moving into the stator 132 and hindering the performance of the
turbine 134.
In operation, water flows through the screen 110 and into passages
132B, rotating the turbine 134 (or alternately bypassing the
turbine through the bypass valve) and passing through apertures
130A and 124B. Finally, the water passes through the stationary arc
member 120, the moving arc member 118 and deflects against the
deflector plate 104 away from the sprinkler 100.
The rotating turbine 134 drives the rotation of the gears 131A and
131B within the gear assembly 136, rotating the outer case of the
gear assembly 136. The gear assembly 136 rotates the stator 132,
which rotates the drive plate 124. The drive plate 124 rotates the
drive shaft 114, which ultimately rotates the deflector plate 104.
The channels 104A within the deflector plate 104 create multiple
water streams that move across the watering arc of the sprinkler
100.
The watering arc is adjusted by rotating the arc adjustment member
106 which rotates the moving arc member 118 and thereby opens or
closes a gap between the moving arc member 118, the stationary arc
member 120 and the center boss member 122.
The radius that the water is thrown from the sprinkler 100 (i.e.,
the water flow through the sprinkler 100) is adjusted by rotating
the flow adjustment member 112 (e.g., by hand or with an adjustment
tool). The flow adjustment member 112 rotates the flow adjustment
shaft 116, causing the throttle plate 130 to overcome the friction
with the drive plate 124. As the flow adjustment member 112 rotates
relative to the drive plate 124, the apertures 130A and 124B move
into or out of alignment, adjusting the water flow through the
sprinkler 100.
As previously discussed, the flow adjustment member 112, the flow
adjustment shaft 116 and the throttle plate 130 all rotate with the
drive plate 124, drive shaft 114, deflector plate 104 and sprinkler
cap 102 during normal operation. However, when the water flow is
adjusted, as previously described, these components move relative
to drive plate 124, drive shaft 114, deflector plate 104 and
sprinkler cap 102 as the friction between the throttle plate 130
and drive plate 124 is overcome.
While a mini stream sprinkler has been specifically described, it
should be understood that other sprinkler designs, such as rotating
nozzle designs may also be used according to aspects of the present
invention. Additionally, it should be noted that while the flow
adjustment shaft 116 has been described as being within the drive
shaft 114, an alternate arrangement is contemplated in which the
drive shaft 114 is positioned within a passage of the flow
adjustment shaft 116.
Although the invention has been described in terms of particular
embodiments and applications, one of ordinary skill in the art, in
light of this teaching, can generate additional embodiments and
modifications without departing from the spirit of or exceeding the
scope of the claimed invention. Accordingly, it is to be understood
that the drawings and descriptions herein are proffered by way of
example to facilitate comprehension of the invention and should not
be construed to limit the scope thereof.
* * * * *